The Pentagon announced on Friday that the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, held a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. This marks the first meeting between defense ministers of the US and China in 18 months.
During the meeting, Secretary Austin warned China against its series of military provocations in areas such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, and directly accused China of providing military support to Russia in its aggression against Ukraine.
In a statement released by the Pentagon on Friday, Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of direct military communication between the US and China, and expressed serious concerns over recent provocative activities by the Chinese military around the Taiwan Strait.
Austin reiterated that “China should not use Taiwan’s political transition – a normal, routine democratic process – as an excuse for coercive actions,” and underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
He made it clear that “the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate in a safe and responsible manner, and emphasize the importance of respecting freedom of navigation guaranteed by international law, especially in the South China Sea.”
At the same time, Secretary Austin also expressed serious concerns over China’s support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
During the meeting, Austin pointed out that “China has provided support to the Russian defense industry in the war that Russia unjustly launched against Ukraine.” Additionally, the US expressed concerns over recent provocations by North Korea, including its support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
In a routine press conference held by the US Department of Defense on Thursday, Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated that high-level military communication between the US and China can prevent miscalculations.
Singh noted the US’s high level of concern over China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan last week. She said, “Whether it’s around some islands near the Philippines or activities around Taiwan, of course, we anticipate these issues will be discussed.”
From May 23rd to 24th, China conducted the so-called “Joint Sword-2024A” military exercise in the vicinity of Taiwan, claiming it was in response to Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen’s inauguration speech.
On May 20th, President Tsai Ing-wen stated during her inauguration ceremony that Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China are “two separate countries.”
Amid escalating military activities by China around Taiwan, the Taiwanese military, while closely monitoring, condemned China’s “open provocations.”
Tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea continue to escalate. The Philippine government accused Chinese coast guard ships of using water cannons to attack a Philippine supply vessel near the disputed Second Thomas Shoal (also known as Ayungin Shoal), resulting in injuries to Filipino crew members and damage to the ship.
On Friday evening, Philippine President Bongbong Marcos is set to deliver a keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, where territorial disputes in the South China Sea are expected to be a primary topic of discussion.